Assessing floating PV costs across Europe
Researchers have analyzed the viability of floating PV in terms of net present value, internal rate of return, and LCOE. They included 25 European countries in their work, including Germany, the United Kingdom, Spain, and Italy.
Albania’s 300 MW solar tender attracts lowest bid of €0.0397/kWh
The Albanian authorities have revealed that a recent 300 MW solar tender has attracted a lowest bid of €0.0397/kWh. The government has shortlisted nine bidders with an average offered price of €0.0513/kWh for 283.9 MW of preselected capacity.
Challenges and prospects in Albania’s PV market
Albanian researchers say that solar could be key to reducing Albania’s reliance on energy imports, but the nation will need to invest in grid infrastructure, streamline laws, and enhance access to funding to support deployment.
Albania launches 300 MW solar auction
The Albanian authorities aim to allocate 300 MW of solar capacity through a new procurement exercise, with projects ranging from 10 MW to 100 MW.
Albania kicks off tender for 12.9 MW floating solar project
Solar Energy of Albania (SENA) aims to develop a 12.9 MW floating solar project on a lake in northwestern Albania, next to an existing hydropower plant.
Albania approves first unsubsidized large-scale solar projects
The Albanian government said last week that unspecified developers have agreed to build two 20 MW solar projects in the nation’s Korça region. The authorities also said that renewables operators will now have to pay fees for grid imbalances.
Albanian hydropower dam is now linked with 5.1 MW of solar
Albanian utility KESH has built a 5.1 MW ground-mounted solar park at its hydropower plant in Vau i Dejës. The company will operate the PV facility in combination with hydropower production.
Albania’s first floating PV plant is now operational
The 500 kW floating array was built with floating membranes supplied by Norwegian specialist Ocean Sun. The project is expected to continue its second implementation phase during the second half of 2021, when three more 500 kW floating units will be installed.
Big solar for Western Balkans disused coal mine
Land scarcity and renewables prices have been long considered significant hurdles for renewable developments in the hilly Balkans. Still, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) sees solid opportunities in floating PV on public dams, PV modules on rooftops, and renewables projects in landfills and disused coal mines.
Solar could address Albania’s climate-change-sensitive hydropower dependency
Photovoltaics could offer peak generation at times of the year when the nation needs it most, says IRENA, but plenty will have to be done, including upgrading an aging grid and training an army of installers and building energy auditors.
